DOWN 2-11
DERRY 0-9
Dan Bannon reports from Armagh
DOWN PLAYED THE long game at Box-it Athletic Grounds as they rattled off 2-5 in a scintillating finishing flurry to claim the Eirgrid Ulster U20 title at Derry’s expense.
Senior star Odhran Murdock and Glenavon soccer player Jamie Doran found the net but Oisín Savage’s eight-point tally would prove the difference in the showpiece. Swamped Derry failed to score in the final 20 minutes of the final.
Mourne captain Ryan Magill hoisted the Danny Murphy Cup for the winners who will now play Kildare in the All-Ireland semi-final after their extra-time win over Dublin last night.
For long stretches, it looked like it was going to be the Oak Leafers night. Down, although never out of the game thanks to Savage, were constantly doing the chasing and Martin Boyle’s outfit were enjoying the occasion.
Charlie Diamond landed half of his side’s tally in the opening period with some wickedly stylish efforts off his left peg. Savage showed glimpses but, without the lead, Down found it difficult to assert themselves.
Trailing 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time, Savage took it upon himself to draw level but Mark Doherty put Derry three ahead with his second score. That would be it on the scoreboard for the young Oak Leafers.
Once Savage drew parity again, Down seized the moment they were waiting for to romp home.
Murdock grabbed a high ball in the square and had the instinct to switch feet and bury home.
Momentum all with Down now, Derry could not respond and Doran showed his class to close out a memorable provincial final.
Scorers for Down: Oisín Savage 0-8 (5f, 1m), Odhran Murdock 1-1, Jamie Doran 1-1, C Rodgers 0-1.
Scorers for Derry: Charlie Diamond 0-3 (2f), Mark Doherty 0-2, N O’Donnell 0-1, Peter McCullagh 0-1, Jody McDermott 0-1, Matthew Downey 0-1.
Derry
Ben O’Connor (Desertmartin);
Patrick McGurk (Lavey), James Murray (Magherafelt), Jody McDermott (Glen);
Lee Brady (Bellaghy), Donncha Gilmore (Steelstown), Ruairí Forbes (Ballinderry);
Dan Higgins (Magherafelt), Mark Doherty (Newbridge);
Patrick O’Kane (Dungiven), Peter McCullagh (Slaughtneil), Niall O’Donnell (Ballinderry);
Charlie Diamond (Bellaghy), Matthew Downey (St. Brigid’s), Ruairí Ó Mianáin (Slaughtneil).
Subs:
Calum Downey (St. Brigid’s) for Ó Mianáin (44)
Seán Deehan (Limavady) for O’Kane (54)
Niall McGonagle (Dungiven) for Doherty (59)
Down
Oisín Treacy (Bredagh);
Fiachra McAvoy (Saval), Patrick McCarthy (Burren), Finn Murdock (Rostrevor);
Thomas Hardy (Mayobridge), Ryan Magill (Burren), James Kelly (Burren);
Odhran Murdock (Burren), Tom McCarroll (Carryduff);
Harry Magill (Burren), Oran Cunningham (Downpatrick), Tiarnan Ryan (Burren);
Oisín Savage (Loughinisland), Jason Morgan (Kilcoo), Callum Rodgers (Kilcoo).
Subs:
Jaime Doran (Ballyholland) for Ryan (23),
Cian Cunningham (Burren) for R Magill (ht)
Cormac Greene (Ballymartin) for McCarroll (55)
Eoin Loughran (Burren) for Savage (58)
Senan Carr (Clonduff) for O Cunningham (59)
Referee: Pat Clarke (Cavan)